Choosing a safer alternative to synthetic chemical-based insect repellents is not only healthier it's literally essential to life, and essential oils can make it happen.

The vast majority of the DEET-based repellents that you see have a DEET concentration of between 5 percent and 15 or 20 percent. There are some products that go up to 35 percent concentration. And then, there are a few 100 percent DEET repellents still sold. When people go to buy chemical DEET based insect repellents, one of the biggest problems is the natural tendency to buy the highest concentration.

Children are especially vulnerable to subtle brain changes caused by chemicals in the environment. That's because their skin more readily absorbs such chemicals, which have more of an impact on a child's developing nervous system.

DEET has been shown to have a negative impact on wildlife and water sources in production and during use. DEET is toxic to birds and aquatic life. It has been found in approximately 75 percent of U.S. water sources, including the Mississippi River.
Essential Oils - Natural AlternativesNatural recipes recipe take just seconds to mix up and can be varied based on what you have available.

Essential oils have many therapeutic properties that are well known for their ability to keep a person sting-free. As a general rule, they are best used two ways:

1) Airborne Methods: Lemongrass or Citronella or Cinnamon oil are recommended to keep insects at bay by airborne methods including paper strips at the windows, dribbled on light bulbs, or placed in diffusers.

2) Applied to the body: For direct application to skin and clothing, use Lavender oil to discourage insects from landing on your body. Lavender and Peppermint also help to reduce insect bite-induced itching and infection. Carry these oils with you at all times during the summer months especially while travelling or even for your jogging or walks outdoors.

-- Use the Ecuadorian oil -- well known and well used in Ecuador to ward off mosquitoes and other insects.

-- Other Special Oil Blends: Purification, Thieves, or Melrose Blends work very well. Make your own by combining Lemongrass with Citronella and Idaho Tansy in water! Spray where needed.

-- Another tactic is to use an essential oil diffuser in your home, cottage, or hotel room to diffuse selected oils into your immediate environment. For example, not only does Lavender oil deter mosquitoes, it is also known to encourage deeper and longer-lasting sleep.

For Best Results -- Choose Quality

Not all essential oils are created equal; some companies take shortcuts by extracting their oils using chemical solvents. Purity and quality is absolutely critical in order to obtain maximum results. Whatever is applied to your skin is absorbed into your bloodstream. Using high quality, organic essential oils is the best way to go.
Sources:
healthday.compreventdisease.comvitalitymagazine.comcbc.cawsu.edu